Kween Kee-Kee

Kween Kee Kee

PRODUCTION, PHOTOGRAPHY: AMANDA VOISARD | PUBLICATION: REUTERS WIDER IMAGE

““There’s no reason or justification that I can think of that people have to fit within some sort of narrow guideline. If you’re just going to define gender aside from biological sense, every other thing we use to define gender that I can think of is, is purely just a societal, cultural thing. I would like people to just feel, to express themselves for who they are.” - Keegan’s mother”

Video

TEXAS- “I just feel more like myself when I am wearing a dress,” said Keegan, now 9, whom identifies as gender creative. Keegan’s parents have chosen to raise their children to self-identify, while consciously not imposing gender norms on their day-to-day activities.

Keegan’s family said they first noticed his propensity towards female gender-typical clothing at the age of 4, regularly asking to wear dresses to pre-school. Over the years, this fascination grew from a hobby behind closed doors to regularly posting photos of himself dressed in drag (with the help of his mother) on his Instagram page. The families journey has not been easy. Over the years, Keegan has been bullied in the classroom by friends for his closet full of makeup, wigs and costumes. Feeling Keegan in need of aid, that his mother Megan felt she couldn’t provide, she sought the help of the drag community. She contacted a married couple named Emma and Alex who perform drag professionally. Together the whole family participated in a monthly “drag class” led by the couple deemed his “fairy drag mothers.” The unofficial drag course was aimed at teaching Keegan the in’s and out’s of professional makeup, costumes and choreography. Under the queens tutelage, Keegan’s drag life has blossomed.

As Keegan navigates the world of gender, home-life and school his relationship with Emma and Alex has progressed beyond traditional teachers to acting as mentors. Fueled by their support and that of his family, Keegan has moved past his fears of exposing his gender-non conforming lifestyle to his peers, to wearing his sparkly shoes to school. From the periphery a small triumph but to his teachers, family and friends a huge leap into acceptance and a way forward. Last year, he performed for the first time in drag during the International Drag Festival and has now been booked for a paid performance.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, relaxes with his family at the home of his 'Fairy Drag Mothers,' Robby and Alex, in Austin, Texas, U.S., August 14, 2018, after having drag class with the couple. Keegan's parents sought the help of the drag community to help mentor their son, who identifies as gender creative and recently came out as gay, to aid him with his drag skills. His mother, Megan, says they family was surprised that Keegan came as gay at the early age of 9, but happy he is relieved to have the weight lifted off his shoulders.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, bounces on the trampoline outside his families home in Austin, Texas, U.S., August 22, 2018. Identifying as gender creative, Keegan’s parents have made the ch

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, climbs atop his family home while playing outside in Austin, Texas, U.S., August 22, 2018. Since the age of 4, Keegan had been prone to dressing in traditional female clothing, asking to wear dresses to pre-school. At the same time, his family also said he continues to exhibit strong stereotypical male behavior, fighting with his brother etc.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, middle, reacts to his peers during class at his 3rd grade elementary school in Austin, Texas, U.S., May 3, 2019. His teacher says he is a leader in his class, and has grown a lot during the year.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, middle left, stands with his 3rd grade classmates in between classes at his 3rd grade elementary school in Austin, Texas, U.S., May 3, 2019. His teacher says he is a leader in his class, and has grown a lot during the year.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, is comforted by his father, Chris, then 33, while attending a drag lesson at the home of his drag queen mentors, Robby and Alex, in Austin, Texas, U.S., August 14, 2018.

Chris said at first he was ambivalent to Keegan’s non-gender normative behavior, not thinking too much about it. However, in the years following the family made a collective decision to be more aware of prescribed gender typical roles and not imposing them in their home. Both suicide survivors, Megan and Chris felt it was important to just "Let Keegan be himself." Both say they are very proud of Keegan's progress and courage to be himself.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, reads at home in Austin, Texas, U.S., April 25, 2019. Keegan's favorite book is 'Prince + The Dressmaker'. His parents have also included LGBTQ children's literature to his reading list. The objective, they say is to teach him LGBTQ related history so that he can better understand what others went through and in turn appreciate his ability/right to do things like wear dresses or do drag. They frequently check out the book 'Pride: Celebrating Diversity and Community by Robin Stevenson,' from the local library, which includes the history of Stonewall.

Keegan, a gender creative child, 9, middle right, his brother Noah, 10, middle left, parents, Megan, 33, left, father, Chris, 34, take a trip with his drag queen mentors, , Robby, 26, right, and Alex, 27, middle right, to Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts to buy fabric in Austin, Texas, U.S., May. 11, 2019. The fabric was to be used for a new costume made by Robby as a gift to Keegan for his 9th birthday.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, left, and his brother Noah, 10, right, play video games during a drag lesson at the home of Keegan's drag queen mentors, Robby and Alex in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 15, 2018.

Keegan, a gender creative child, 9, says he "feels more like himself," when he is wearing a dress. Keegan, plays video games with his mother Megan, 33, at their home in Austin, Texas, U.S., May 17, 2019.

Though Keegan has only performed in drag as KweenKeekee twice, he has gained a following on his minikweenkeekee Instagram page, posting photos dressed in full drag and other life updates with the help of his mother.

Under the mentorship of the drag queens, Keegan’s drag life has blossomed. Robby, a drag queen, then 25, left, helps Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, middle, rehearse for his upcoming inaugural drag performance at the home Robby shares with his husband Alex in Austin, Texas, U.S., Oct. 26, 2018.

"I think that we're trying to sort of redefine success and also telling this eight year-old that if you are yourself and you continue to be yourself and you grow up and you do good and that that's successful and I think that he's getting that mentality from us. But also from a personal perspective, I know that like I am getting a sense of community as well, a feeling we're providing something that is going to positively affect this young kid. said Alex. Robby adding, "I mean at the end of the day, like that's really what all of this is about, right? Is just creating positive change for a kid who maybe didn't know that there was an option to do so."

"As gay people, we kind of have the ability to choose our family and I think what I am getting out of this is family," said Alex.

Keegan jumps on the trampoline with his older brother, Noah, outside their family home following a drag lesson at the queens house.

Keegan, a gender creative child, 9, right, wrestles around with his friend Bishop, left, during his 9th birthday party at his home in Austin, Texas, U.S., May 10, 2019. Keegan says he has shared his gender creative choices with several friends but has only told a select few about his drag performances.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, right, plays with his older brother, Noah, 10, left, outside their family home in Austin, Texas, U.S., August 14, 2018, following a drag lesson with his drag queen mentors, Robby and Alex. Keegan's parents say he would often remain in full drag until bed time after one of the lessons.

Keegan, a gender creative child, 9, and his mother Megan, 33, chat in Keegan's room at their home in Austin, Texas, U.S., May 22, 2019, outside his drag closet where he keeps most of his costumes out of direct view. REUTERS/Amanda Voisard

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, says he has been bullied in the classroom and ridiculed by friends for having a closet of makeup, wigs and costumes. Fueled by the support of his family, Keegan has moved past his fears of exposing his gender-non-conforming lifestyle to his peers, to wearing his sparkly shoes to school. From the periphery a small triumph but to his teachers, family and friends a huge leap into acceptance and a way forward. Keegan plays on the playground during recess at the his elementary school in Austin, Texas, U.S., May 3, 2019.

Keegan, a gender creative child, 9, pours glitter on his head during his 9th birthday party at his home in Austin, Texas, U.S., May 10, 2019. The glitter party was inspired by a Queer Eye episode. Keegan's family says he was motivated to try drag after watching RuPaul's Drag Race.

Robby, a drag queen, then 25, left, applies makeup, as his husband, Alex, then 26, at rear, looks on during a drag lesson for Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, right, at their home in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 15, 2018.

As the years have progressed, so has Keegan’s fascination with all things drag, evolving from a hobby into an upcoming paid performance. Feeling Keegan in need of aid, his mother, Megan, felt she couldn’t provide, she sought the help of the drag community to guide him. She contacted a married couple named Robby and Alex, whom perform drag professionally, to help educate Keegan on performing and act as mentors.

Keegan practices his routine at the home of Robby and Alex.

Robby and Alex have not only provided guidance on drag but acted as mentors as Keegan navigates the world of gender, home-life and school.

The couple straighten Keegan's wig during a drag lesson.

Alex, drag name Alexandria Van Cartier, right, a drag queen and mentor of a gender creative child, then 26, takes one final look before taking the stage during the International Drag Festival 2018 in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 16, 2018.

Alex, says he tries to impress upon Keegan a sense of feeling comfortable in his own skin. He says the process of getting into drag is time consuming and is very reflective. "Part of what drag has done for me at least, it's like if you're not enjoying what you're seeing in the mirror, than there is something wrong. And if I'm going to have to look at myself in the mirror for three hours, I better like what I'm seeing," he said.

Robby, drag name EmmaSis, a drag queen and mentor of a gender creative child, then 25, prepares to take the stage during the International Drag Festival 2018 in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 16, 2018.

Robby, drag name EmmaSis, a drag queen and mentor of a gender creative child, then 25, performs during the International Drag Festival 2018 in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 16, 2018.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, left, and his brother Noah, 10, middle, accompanied by his family, look on after arriving at the Austin International Drag Fest 2018 in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 18, 2018.

Keegan, a gender creative child, drag name KweenKeekee, then 8, middle, accompanied by his family, glances at another performer during the Austin International Drag Fest 2018 in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 18, 2018.

Keegan, a gender creative child, drag name KweenKeekee, then 8, and his mother, Megan, then 32, sit side-stage prior to Keegan's debut drag performance during the Austin International Drag Fest 2018 in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 18, 2018.

Keegan, a gender creative child, drag name KweenKeekee, then 8, is framed by the shoes of another performer while posing for the camera after completing his first drag performance during the Austin International Drag Fest 2018 in Austin, Texas, U.S., Nov. 18, 2018.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, rehearses for his upcoming inaugural drag performance at the home of his drag queen mentors, Robby and Alex, in Austin, Texas, U.S., Oct. 26, 2018.

"I really think like that's one of the most important things for this is just like creating an opportunity for this kid to truly express himself in the way that he feels comfortable in a safe environment where nobody's here to judge him. No one's ever criticized him, no one's there to say that he's doing something that he shouldn't be doing because at the end of the day, like he's a kid, let the kid just be a kid," said Robby of the experience of drag class.

Robby, a drag queen, then 25, left, embraces Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, middle, as Keegan's mother Megan, then 32, looks on following a rehearsal for Keegan's upcoming inaugural drag performance at the home Robby shares with his husband Alex in Austin, Texas, U.S., Oct. 26, 2018.

Keegan, a gender creative child, then 8, reads before going to sleep in his room painted in his favorite color purple at his home in Austin, Texas, U.S., August 22, 2018.